Dolphins!

We set out from Ft. Pierce Inlet Marina just before dawn. We joined a parade of small fishing boats exiting the inlet and fighting the current. The wind was unexpectedly from the northeast (it was supposed to shift east) and the waves made for an uncomfortable ride. After cresting every 7th or 8th wave the bow would slam down into the water. We kept hoping the wind would lessen and shift. After a while we talked about turning around and going back to Ft. Pierce. Neither one of us wanted to do that. Eventually the wind did become lighter and shifted more easterly, making the ride much more comfortable. I noticed a dolphin swimming beside us about 20 feet away. George spotted more dolphins up near the bow and went up to take a picture. Hooray! We have been waiting for dolphins to follow us all winter long. They didn't stay long but it was still a thrill.
I also spotted something large and orange with a loop in it. I originally thought it was trash but it drove under water and didn't resurface. I wonder if it was an octopus. Later on George spotted a large sea turtle.